PHOENIX, AZ--(Marketwire - Jun 29, 2011) - While millions of people worldwide were focused on the NBA Finals and superstars like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki playing the game of basketball with grace and fury for a championship at the highest level, area gyms around the nation were filled with kids and weekend warriors hooping it up with the same intensity but for completely different reasons.
"We play basketball for the three 'C's,'" explains Jamar Johnson, Chief Commissioner of the Community Basketball Leagues (CBL). They are: Competition, Comradery and Community.
The CBL offers 12 different types of leagues for youths and adults including the semi-pro Exposure League (E-League), which will offer a preparatory opportunity for basketball players wanting to play at the collegiate or professional levels. "We've taken the recreation league concept to the next level so that neighborhood basketball isn't just about the competition on the court, but it's equally about the community and local businesses."
Of course it all starts with competition. "It's such a quality experience for our players," Johnson boasts. Players from all skill levels actually get drafted to a team in the CBL. After 18-20 season games and playoffs with enforced equal playing time rules, a ceremony is held and championship rings are handed out to the winners. Player registrations are free at www.CBLHoopsUSA.com.
NBA Commissioner David Stern is running an entertainment business so he was likely pulling for huge ratings for the NBA Finals which would bring in more revenue for his league. The various successes of the current CBLs are why investors are talking to Johnson about his plans for a $2 million nationwide expansion, but he actually longs for a different type of goal.
"I want there to be a 'CBL Effect' for the communities we're in," he states, referring to the so-called "Oprah Effect," which some experts say boomed sales for little-known companies or brought national attention to a topic when mentioned on Oprah Winfrey's former TV talk show. "When the CBL comes to your town, I want the impact to be so overwhelmingly positive for players, local businesses and the community that there's a noticeable change on the streets," Johnson explains.
About Jamar Johnson
Jamar Johnson, creator and Chief CBL Commissioner, is responsible for all day-to-day business operations.
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Ginny Grimsley
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